Sharptail Bees
Coelioxys
Classification
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Hexapoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Hymenoptera
- Family: Megachilidae
- Subfamily: Megachilinae
- Tribe: Megachilini
- Genus: Coelioxys
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Coelioxys: //ˌsiː.liˈɒk.sɪs//
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Images
Summary
Coelioxys, commonly known as leaf-cutting cuckoo bees or sharp-tailed bees, are a genus of solitary kleptoparasitic cuckoo bees in the family Megachilidae. They mimic some aspects of the life cycle and behavior of host bees, primarily Megachile.
Physical Characteristics
Coelioxys species can reach a length of 7-10 mm (0.31–0.47 in). They have a broad head with large complex eyes and a broad thorax and abdomen. Their body is moderately hairy, usually black with white hair stripes, with legs that may be red or black. Females have a long pointed abdomen that resembles a cone, while males have abdomens armed with spines or teeth.
Identification Tips
Look for bees with conical pointed abdomens in females and spines or teeth in males. They may be found visiting flowers in fields during their active months.
Habitat
Typically found in fields and at flowers, often in the vicinity of other bee nests.
Distribution
Coelioxys species are distributed across most European countries, the Afrotropical realm, the East Palearctic realm, North Africa, India, the Nearctic region, and the Neotropics.
Diet
Adults take nectar from various flowering plants, as they do not provision nests for larvae.
Life Cycle
Adults are usually active from June to September. The larvae kill the host larvae with their mandibles and feed on the host's pollen provisions. They spin a cocoon within 11-16 days and are generally univoltine, though some species may have a second generation.
Reproduction
Females lay eggs in the nests of host bees, such as Megachile, Osmia, and Anthophora, on their provisions of pollen, a kleptoparasitic behavior.
Ecosystem Role
As cuckoo bees, they play a role in the ecology of their host bee populations, influencing the dynamics of bee communities.
Similar Taxa
Misconceptions
Though often called 'cuckoo bees', Coelioxys do not build nests themselves but instead lay their eggs in the nests of other bees, a fact that may confuse those unaware of their kleptoparasitic nature.
Tags
- Hymenoptera
- Solitary Bees
- Cuckoo Bees
- Kleptoparasitic Bees